Pakistani National Linked to Iran Caught in Foiled Plot to Assassinate US Politicians
Asif Raza Merchant allegedly tried to assassinate a U.S. government official as part of a terrorist plot. Merchant spent time in Iran before coming to the U.S. to execute his assassination plot. Photo courtesy of DOJ.
Earlier this month, a federal court in Brooklyn slapped a two-count indictment against Merchant for murder-for-hire and “attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries as part of a scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on U.S. soil.” He was arrested by federal authorities while allegedly trying to leave the country ahead of the planned assassinations, according to a DOJ press release.
Straight Out of the Iranian Playbook
FBI Director Christopher Wray said the plot was “straight out of the Iranian playbook.”
After spending time in Iran, Merchant came to the U.S. via Pakistan in April 2024 and contacted someone he believed to be able to help him with the assassinations. His plan included stealing documents, organizing protests and assassinating a politician or government official.
Law enforcement officers became aware of Merchant’s plans and initiated an undercover operation to foil the plot. Merchant ultimately “hired” cops to assassinate a U.S. official.
Code Words and Secret Meetings
In his indictment, federal officers present evidence that Merchant was committed to the plot. During a meeting in a hotel room, Merchant wrote out scenarios on a napkin and discussed assassination tactics, according to court documents. His own statements were presented to the court as evidence, including saying, “People who will be targeted are the ones who are hurting Pakistan and the world, (the) Muslim world. These are not normal people.”
Merchant also said the assassination would occur after he left the U.S., and he would communicate using code words. He referred to the whole scheme as a “yarn-dye” business and that he would refer to the plot in clothing and textile terminology. From “lightest” to “heaviest” work, a “tee-shirt” would mean fomenting a protest (i.e.,light work); a “flannel shirt” (heavier work) would be stealing. Then the heaviest work, “a fleece jacket,” would be committing “the act of the game,” or murder.
In mid-June, he met with what he thought were hitmen to outline his specific requests. On June 21, he paid the undercover officers– who he thought were hitmen– $5,000 as an advance on the assassination.
To seal the deal, one of the undercover cops stated, “Now we’re bonded,” to which Merchant agreed. The officer then said, “Now we know we’re going forward. We’re doing this,” to which Merchant responded, “Yes, absolutely.”
On July 12, Merchant was arrested while loading suitcases into a vehicle. Upon searching the residence where he’d been staying, authorities found a hand-written note in his wallet with the code words Merchant had allegedly devised to conceal the assassination attempt.
‘Will Note Tolerate Iran’s Efforts’
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the charges show that the Justice Department is continuing to hold those accountable who would seek to do Iran’s lethal plotting against Americans, according to the press release.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to target our country’s public officials and endanger our national security,” Garland said.
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